NEC Produces World's Smallest Class All-in-One Compact Core Network System (EPC) for LTE

Tokyo, October 2, 2009, via MForum.ru - NEC Corporation announced today that its new Compact EPC system will be on display at LTE Forum 2009(*1). An all-in-one core network system, it qualifies for the world's smallest class by incorporating MME(*2) and Serving-GW(*3)/PDN-GW(*4) into an area measuring 483mm(L)x222mm(H)x497mm(D) that fits within the 5U-height of a standard 19-inch rack.

Each compact system is capable of simultaneously accommodating nearly 300,000 subscribers while controlling more than 1,000 LTE base stations. All functions are loaded into compact, blade integrated AdvancedTCA(R)(*5), chassis. This provides the operator with a flexible and reliable way of moving to 4G.

The Compact EPC system can support LTE trials and small scale LTE commercial services. When the number of subscribers increases, large scale network expansion can easily be implemented by adding more blade capability, which provides deployment flexibility for growing operators. Moreover, the seamless connection of LTE networks to a wide range of existing networks, including GSM/WCDMA/CDMA/WLAN, etc., can be implemented in line with the demands of mobile communications carriers.

EPC is a core network system that controls LTE base stations. Both EPC and LTE are currently moving towards standardization promoted by 3GPP(*6), a standardization body for mobile communication systems. NEC's EPC are built in compliance with 3GPP mobile communications standards.

"We have seen caution surrounding LTE in today's market, but NEC is fully committed to providing cost effective LTE solutions that cause minimal disruption," said Dr Shahram Niri, Director of Global LTE/SAE Strategy & Solutions, NEC Europe. "Our new EPC aims to provide a flexible platform that offers operators a smooth, simple and seamless evolution from their existing networks at the lowest total cost of ownership possible. NEC was the first end to end solution vendor offering EPC in Japan and is contributing to the early momentum of LTE by providing radio access, core and terminal elements of LTE networks. As a consequence we have learned many valuable lessons that allow us to meet operators' needs. NEC's new EPC enables a variety of options, such as centralized or distributed deployment, as well as different degrees of EPC node integration (MME, S-GW and P-GW) from a compact all in one package," he added.

NEC is proactively developing LTE/EPC, including its September 2009 announcement regarding compact outdoor wireless LTE base stations (www.nec.com/lte). Looking forward, NEC will continue contributing to the creation of mobile networks through next generation communications systems as a total supplier of LTE/EPC solutions, including communications infrastructure and devices.

(*1) The LTE Forum 2009 is an LTE exhibition taking place from 7 - 8 October 2009, in Lisbon, Portugal (http://www.lteforum2009.com/...). LTE is a mobile communications standard that represents a significant advancement over the HSDPA/HSUPA family of W-CDMA technologies. LTE systems are being developed in order to deliver high-speed data transmission rates of more than 100Mbps-downlink and 50Mbps-uplink, to improve latency and to enhance the efficiency of frequency use. LTE is currently moving towards standardization promoted by 3GPP, a standardization body for mobile communication systems.

(*2) A Mobility Management Entity (MME) manages the location and paging process of LTE systems.

(*3) Serving-GW processes users' voice and data packets for 2G/3G and LTE systems.

(*4) PDN-GW manages the interface between EPC and external networks (Internet and IMS etc.).

(*5) AdvancedTCA(R) is an industry standard of the PICMG forum for next generation carrier grade telecommunications equipment.

(*6) The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a partnership project that produces detailed specifications for IMT-2000 W-CDMA. Specifications created by the 3GPP are in accordance with standards established throughout a wide range of countries. The 3GPP is composed of companies and organizations that span the globe, including some of the world's most influential mobile telecommunications companies.

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